Australian Journalists’ Union celebrates the decision regarding Assange
A recent High Court ruling in Britain granting Julian Assange the right to appeal his extradition to the United States is seen as a “small victory” by the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, the union representing journalists in Australia. However, they emphasize the urgency of setting Assange free immediately, rather than waiting for the outcome of the appeal.
Despite the decision to allow an appeal, concerns remain within the union about the uncertainty of a successful outcome. If extradited, Assange could potentially face trial for espionage in the US, raising doubts about whether his right to free speech would be upheld in a US court.
Currently, the 52-year-old remains incarcerated in the UK and faces 18 charges, predominantly under the Espionage Act, related to WikiLeaks’ release of classified US documents – deemed as some of the most significant security breaches in US military history.
Following the provisional permission granted in March by the High Court for an appeal, which was based on concerns of potential discrimination against Assange as a foreign national, the court invited the US to provide assurances. After a recent hearing, two senior judges acknowledged Assange’s argument about the uncertainty of his access to First Amendment rights in the US, warranting a full appeal process that is expected to take several months.
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Karen Percy, MEAA Media Federal President, expressed support for the High Court’s decision not to accept US assurances regarding Assange’s treatment within the US legal system. She stated that the ruling is a positive step for Assange and media freedom globally, but urged President Joe Biden to intervene and halt the prosecution to prevent further delays in the case.
While welcoming the High Court’s decision, MEAA remains cautious about the lack of guarantees for success. Percy highlighted concerns that the ongoing prosecution is suppressing free speech, criminalizing journalism, and setting a dangerous precedent for future whistleblowers and publishers.
The union called upon the Australian government to continue pressuring the US to drop the charges against Assange so that he can be reunited with his family. In a separate statement, Assange’s brother Gabriel Shipton announced plans to travel to the US to advocate for his brother’s return home, emphasizing the need for the Australian government to leverage its influence with the US for a speedy resolution.
